Poland is considering Ukraine's request to hand over German Leopard battle tanks, but the final decision must be made by Germany. 

This was reported by The Washington Post, citing the words of a high-ranking Polish diplomat.

Slawomir Debski, director of the Polish Institute of International Relations, a Warsaw-based think tank close to the Polish government, noted that the pace of a positive decision depends on how quickly Poland receives

the replacement tanks it has ordered from manufacturers in South Korea and the United States

.

He is confident that sooner or later this issue will be approved in favor of Ukraine, adding that the reluctance of Western partners to provide tanks is finally diminishing after months of diplomatic pressure and Poland's insistence. 

"It's not a matter of if, but when. This is exactly what Poland has been insisting on for many months," he said.

The publication reminds that Poland has more than 240 Leopard tanks.

A total of 137 Leopard 2A4 tanks, 105 Leopard 2A5 tanks and less than 10 Leopard 2PL tanks are in service.

Germany will transfer Marder air defense systems and Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine

It is known that Germany is going to transfer up to 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine to fully equip a tank and grenade launcher battalion.

The German federal government reported that the arms transfer will take place in the first quarter of 2023.

Earlier, the head of the defense committee of the Bundestag, Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, welcomed the supply of Marder armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.

She also expressed her hope that Leopard tanks will be the next weapon that the country will supply to the Armed Forces.

Read also:

  • SAM Patriot: main characteristics, history of creation and cost

  • Zelenskyi will discuss with Scholz the terms of receiving Marder and Patriot from Germany

  • Germany will transfer its Marder and Patriot to Ukraine: what Biden and Scholz agreed on